What is the TLS handshake and how does it work? Ever wonder how your web browser knows it's safe to talk to a website thanks to the TLS Handshake Short for Transport layer security, A behind the scenes process that makes secure communication possible. Before we begin, be sure to subscribe to Ninja One's IT Video Hub. For more tech content like this, defining TLS Transport layer security or TLS is the encryption protocol that secures most internet traffic today. From your emails to banking apps, TLS replaced SSL or Secure sockets layer as the encryption standard for secure communications, it powers H-T-T-P-S and many other secure services. Before encryption can happen, the TLS handshake must take place. It performs three key functions. Negotiates security settings, authenticates the server, and generates shared encryption keys. The process of A TLS handshake. First, the client says hello. Offering supported TLS versions, cipher suites, and random data to help generate keys. The server replies with its choices and proves its identity using a public key and a certificate verified by a trusted certificate authority. Next, both sides use shared data to independently generate the same session key. This key will encrypt all communication going forward. They exchange finished messages to confirm the handshake was successful. Once validated, encrypted data can flow securely. Sometimes the handshake fails, usually due to time mismatches, expired certificates, or unsupported cipher suites. TLS keeps your connection secure, but not necessarily safe. A secure site can still host harmful content, so always download from trusted sources, the TLS handshake, the invisible handshake that protects your online life every single time you connect. For more information, check out our official blog post on how A TLS handshake works linked in the description below.